|
INTRODUCTION
Since we will be talking about food today, some photos. (cake then bread)
John 6. Next Sunday night we will look at the miracle of Feeding the
5,000 from John 6:1-13. A familiar miracle - multiplied just 5
barley loaves and 2 fish from a boy’s lunch, Jesus feed 5000 men, about 10,000 people.
Even had 12 baskets of leftovers. Our text for today is the lesson He gave the next day to the
crowds about the meaning of the miracle. Many in the crowd were just curiosity seekers,
interested only in their bellies not blessings. Setting 6:22-29.
We will focus today on 6:30-40. In this text, for the first time,
Jesus said of Himself “I am the Bread of Life.” This is the first of the
7 great “I am” in the gospel of John. Central theme verse for today is
6:35.
Why call himself “the bread of life?” Great word
picture. Bread is a basic food for our physical nourishment. Most people eat bread, about
every morning I have a piece of bread. A good hamburger in a tasty bun is just right.
Jesus uses bread as an physical illustration of a spiritual truth. As bread gives physical
nourishment to our body, so Jesus gives spiritual nourishment to our soul. As bread sustains
our body temporarily, Jesus sustains our soul eternally. Physical food sustains life, Jesus
gives life. Our text shows us:
1. Jesus is the Bread of life who comes from Heaven 6:30-33a
- v. 30 The Jews were always looking for signs, they just saw one in the
feeding of the people the day before, but apparently it wasn’t good enough.
Wanted something better, something longer lasting. One last climatic miracle that will
wrap it all up and make belief inevitable.
- v. 31 to make their point, referred back to the miracle of manna in the
wilderness, if Moses can give that food out of heaven for 40 years, what can Jesus do
like that? To them Jesus multiplied existing food for one meal, Moses brought it down
from heaven for 40 years. Moses’ miracle was better than Jesus’.
- You remember manna? Ex. 16:15-21. White flaky stuff that appeared in the
desert every morning, then would melt after a while. They had it for 40 years, stopped
when they entered the land. What? Ice Cream!
- v. 32 First, Moses didn’t provide it, God did. It came from heaven. The
bread is not man’s doing, but God’s.
- Second, Jesus Himself is “true bread out of heaven”, and the
greatest bread v. 33 NIV “the bread of God is he who comes down from
heaven.” personal, continual. As Jesus will explain, He nourishment is
eternal.
- 7 x’s in chpt Jesus speaks of Himself who comes “down out of
heaven.”
- The Humanist Manifestos denies influence of heaven. QUOTES. World
history/today’s news is littered with failures of mankind without God.
- We are desperate for supernatural intervention... Plato? “O that someone would
arise, man or God, to show us God.” Jesus did just that!!!
2. Jesus is the Bread of life who gives life to the World 6:33b-35
- The manna gave life only to the Jews for 40 years in the wilderness, it had limited
duration, and limited receivers.
- Jesus’ bread from heaven gives life to entire world John 1:9
“There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every
man.” 1:29 “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
3:16 “For God so loved the world” 4:42 “this One is indeed the
Savior of the world.”
- The life of the Father is given through the Son for all the world, not a specific race
as before, or class or chosen few, but for all - you and me!
- We live in a global village, world is more visible to us now as never before, we see
extent of world. Yet in all time, God always seen world.
- Last week-Ravi Zacharias: “Jesus is superior because he embodies every ideal
that every culture has ever pursued.” He is above time and culture, yet able to
reach into any time and any culture and provide their deepest needs and answer their
greatest questions = “gives life to the world”
We have people who travel the world, we have a mission trip scheduled to Cabo San
Lucas, Mexico. I emailed Ted Warsavage in Bangadesh this week, they are moving to
Costa Rica in January.
- Same message of salvation in all places. Same Savior of the World.
3. Jesus is the Bread of life who satisfies hunger and thirst 6:35-39
- Jesus alone provides eternal soul satisfaction. He fills our need, not only in us as
sole individuals, but the world in total who seek Jesus.
- The inclusion of thirst fulfills our total need for nourishment. John 4:14
- Matt. 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for
they shall be satisfied.”
- Jesus endures and provides for us continually. All our cravings, cries, crises - Jesus
says: “I am here to meet.” We can be satisfied in Jesus.
- Hymn #531 “Satisfied” v. 3 and chorus.
- Church Sign: “You feed your body. Don’t starve your soul”
- Jesus takes perfect care of your soul, nourishes you eternally. Satisfied!
APPLICATION: So how do we receive Jesus the bread of life?
Beginning of text notice - v. 28 Jews wanted the food that never
perished and gave eternal life too, so they asked what work they needed to do. Jesus’
answer: v. 29 “God has done the work, just believe in the One
who God sent.”
End of the text notice - v. 40 Jesus states that it is God’s
will that everyone who beholds the Son (the One standing right in front of them) believes in
Him - they will have eternal life, and be resurrected at end of time.
Behold the Son and Believe in Him - recognize who Jesus really is, accept Him into your life,
and He will change your life now and for eternity. Don’t miss the opportunity.
Don’t be too busy to notice, or too good to come.
Amazing story about Master Violinist Joshua Bell who one day walked into a subway in
Washington D.C. and started to play his violin. Nobody noticed who he was or that his violin
was a 3 million dollar Stradivarius. (Leadership, Fall 07, 64.)
Many people do that with Jesus, completely miss who He is. But Jesus is right in front of us.
He is the Savior of the world. He has given us Himself. Do you recognize Him? Do you know who
He really is? How He can change your life? Don’t pass by... Behold and Believe...
Invitation. Cross.
|
